Shocks keep coming as Belgium humbled
Morocco pulled off yet another World Cup shock yesterday, and Belgium’s aging ‘‘Golden Generation’’ took the hit this time.
The 2-0 upset left Kevin de Bruyne and the 2018 semifinalists in peril of a groupstage exit at what is likely the final World Cup for a highly-talented Belgian group that haven’t managed to convert their promise into prizes.
It might now be too late.
De Bruyne didn’t drive Belgium forward against Morocco, captain Eden Hazard was taken off after an hour, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was probably at fault for the opening goal.
‘‘We haven’t seen the best Belgium yet,’’ said Roberto Martinez, a Spaniard who has coached the team for six years. ‘‘We haven’t been ourselves.’’
Belgium could have become the second team behind defending champions France to advance to the last 16 if it beat Morocco. But it dropped from first to third in Group F and now plays against 2018 World Cup finalists Croatia trying to avoid its earliest elimination since 1998.
Morocco substitute Abdelhamid Sabiri gave his team the lead by whipping in the free kick from a tight angle on the left in the 73rd minute that got under the body of Courtois – for many, the best goalkeeper in the world.
Zakaria Aboukhlal guided a shot into the roof of the net off a pass from Hakim Ziyech in stoppage time to make it 2-0 as Belgium’s defence, with more than 300 international appearances but anchored by two players in their mid-30s, was beaten by a speedy 22-year-old forward at his first World Cup.
Morocco’s players kneeled and pressed their heads to the ground in prayer, then leapt up in celebration. The second big upset at the first World Cup in the Middle East involved another Arabic nation. Saudi Arabia defeated Argentina in the opening set of group games.
Morocco, roared on by thunderous noise from their fans at Al Thumama Stadium, had started in Qatar with a promising 0-0 draw with Croatia.
‘‘We are delighted with that after Croatia and Belgium,’’ Morocco coach Walid Regragui said. ‘‘That’s absolutely outstanding for Morocco.’’
Belgium, ranked No 2 in the world behind Brazil, had won their last seven group games at the World Cup before the upset, but that included a laboured 1-0 win over Canada to open this year’s tournament.
Morocco had to make a change right before kickoff when goalkeeper Yassine Bounou felt unwell but the North Africans were unaffected and clinched their first win at a World Cup since 1998 and only their third ever. Morocco moved to four points and Croatia are also on four points after beating Canada 4-1 yesterday. Belgium have three points and Canada have been eliminated.
Morocco have only ever been past the group stage once at a World Cup, in 1986. And things were in turmoil ahead of the tournament after former coach Vahid Halilhodzic was fired and Regragui was brought in at the end of August, less than three months before the World Cup. Regragui had only three friendlies to make his mark on the team before facing Croatia at the World Cup.
In Group E, Germany forward Niclas Fullkrug salvaged a 1-1 draw against Spain.
The Germans still need to win their last group match to have a chance of advancing to the knockout stage. The
four-time champions were eliminated in the group stage four years ago in Russia.
Germany will next face Costa Rica, who defeated Japan 1-0 yesterday. Even a win may not be enough for the Germans, who are in last place in Group E and need the other result to go their way. Spain can reach the last 16 with a draw against Japan. Alvaro Morata put Spain ahead in the 62nd minute and Fullkrug equalised for Germany in the 83rd.
The match between the pretournament favourites was one of the most anticipated in the group stage.
Spain tried to control the pace of the game with ball possession but weren’t able to create many opportunities, while Germany threatened sporadically with breakaways and set pieces.